Combination shoe and shoehorn

ABSTRACT

A combined shoe and shoehorn wherein the shoehorn is affixed to the shoe and resilient padding is provided at the heel portion to assure maximum comfort to the wearer.

United States Patent Saunders Mar. 26, 1974 [5 COMBINATION SHOE AND SHOEHORN 3,261,114 7/1966 Saunders 36/25 Y 3,64, 2 Pl ..36.Y

[76] inventor: Kenneth W. Saunders, 619 Quary 3 350 2/197 a0 em at a] /2 5 St., Quincy, Mass. 02169 [22] Filed: Apt 30 1973 Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson [2]] Appl. No.: 355,751

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 36/25 Y [51] Int. Cl. A43b A combined Shoe and Shoehom wherein the shoehom [58] Field of Search 36/25 R, 2.5 Y, 71 is ffi d to the Shoe and resilient padding i provided at the heel portion to assure maximum comfort to the [56] References Cited wearer UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,117,385 1/1964 Evans 36/2.5 Y 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures COMBINATION SHOE AND SHOEHORN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement in the integrated shoe and shoehorn illustrated and described in my US. Pat. No. 3,26l,l l4, issued July 19, 1966.

THE PRESENT INVENTION The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved combination shoe and shoehorn which is characterized by novel structure such as to assure maximum comfort to the wearer of the shoes.

With this general object in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the improved combination shoe and shoehorn as hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shoehorn adapted to be embodied in a shoe in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the shoehorn shown in FIG. 1 with a portion thereof folded upwardly;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a shoe embodying the present shoehorn; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the wearers foot within the shoe.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In general, the present invention contemplates a novel combined shoe and shoehorn which comprises an improvement on the integrated shoe and shoehorn illustrated and described in my US. Pat. No. 3,261,114. In such prior structure the shoehorn embodied in a shoe comprised a flexible material having an upper section which fitted against the back of a shoe and a lower section which overlies the heel portion of the shoe. In order to prevent wrinkling of the flexible material, the lower section was provided with a firm, non-flexible piece of leather or like material which was stitched to the lower or heel section of the shoehorn. The-firm or rigid leather pad was then nailed to the inside of the shoe. A conventional sock lining was then placed over the heel portion to dress up the shoe. However, in practice, it was found that the piece of firm leather or other rigid material caused discomfort to the wearer.

In accordance with the present invention, the rigid heel piece placed over the lower section of the shoehorn is replaced by a soft resilient pad, such as a vinyl or sponge rubber pad of a type which will retain its shape so as to prevent wrinkling of the shoehorn and yet will be suficiently resilient to assure comfort to the wearer. More specifically, the marginal portion of the heel pad will be of a resilient material which will hold its shape while the interior portion thereof will be of soft resilient material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pad may comprise a semirigid vinyl material provided with a central opening into which a sponge rubber pad may be inserted to form a cushion.

Another feature of the present invention comprises the shape and proportions of the shoehorn which are conducive to reduce to a minimum the possibility of wrinkling of the same during use.

Referring now to the drawings, 10 represents the improved shoehorn which includes a piece of precut flexible sheet material having an upper or back section 12 which rests against the inside of the back of the shoe, and a lower or heel section 14 which rests against the heel portion of the inside of the shoe. The surface of the sectionwhich rests against the inside of the shoe may comprise a flocked surface 16 and the surface of the section which comes in contact with the sock may comprise a napped surface 18.

As illustrated, the precut flexible sheet material 10 is cut in the same general shape as an hourglass except that the narrow portion forms a fold line 20 which follows the contour of the lower or heel section 14, and the lines defining the sides of the upper section 12 curve inwardly and downwardly, terminating at the ends of the fold line as indicated at points 22, 24.

In accordance with the present invention, a resilient heel pad 26 is stitched as indicated at 27, or otherwise secured to the lower section 14 of the shoehorn, the forward portion of the heel pad being beveled or cut at an angle as indicated at 28 for comfort when placed in a shoe. The heel pad 26 may comprise a vinyl material of a nature such as to be firm enough around its marginal portions so as to hold its shape and yet sufficiently resilient at the interior portions to provide comfort for the wearer of the shoe.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated, the pad 26 stitched to the lower section 14 is provided with a central cutout 30 defined by lines parallel to the outline of the heel section, and a sponge rubber pad 32 precut to the shape of the cutout 30 is inserted into the cutout to provide a soft cushion affording maximum comfort to the wearer.

Thus, the marginal portions of the pad 26 are semirigid to keep the lower section 14 of the shoehorn from wrinkling while the inner portion 32 of the pad is soft and resilient to create a cushioning effect.

The flexible sheet material of which the shoehorn 10 is made may comprise calfskin, or in a preferred embodiment of the invention may comprise a vinyl or thermoplastic vinyl material. Thus, in assembling the vinyl pad 26 with the lower section 14 of the shoehorn, the parts may be superimposed and subjected to heat and pressure to cause adherence of the pad to the section.

In practice, the heel pad 26 is covered by a sock lining 34 provided on its underside with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The heel portion of the sock lining is pressed against heel pad 26 to form a unit therewith, and the extended portion 35 of the sock lining is provided with a protective paper covering 38 having a smooth non-adhering surface, the paper covering 38 being peeled off when the shoehorn is to be assembled with the shoe. The shoehorn is then inserted into the shoe 40 and the extended portion 35 is firmly pressed against the insole 37 to combine the shoehorn with the shoe.

In its assembled form, as shown in FIG. 3, the heel portion of the shoehorn is maintained in an uplifted position, and when the foot is inserted into the shoe, the heel portion will snap down into the position shown in FIG. 4. In the event that the upper section is too long and extends above the back of the shoe, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 4, the extended portion may be cut off so as to confomr to the height of the back portion.

While the semirigid marginal portion of the vinyl pad 26 is conducive to prevent wrinkling of the shoehorn when in use, it was discovered that when the distance between the ends 22, 24 of the curved fold line 20 is maintained at approximately one-third of the width of the heel section 14 of the shoehorn at its widest point the probability of wrinkling of the shoehorn is greatly reduced.

I claim:

1. A combination shoe and shoehorn comprising a two-section element of flexible sheet material comprising a back section and a heel section connected by a fold line, a heel pad having a semirigid margin and a resilient inner portion secured to said heel section, and a sock lining adhesively secured to said heel pad and to the inside of the shoe.

2. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 1 wherein the heel pad is stitched to said heel section.

3. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 1 wherein the two-section element and the heel pad comprise a thermoplastic sheet material, and wherein the heel section and the heel pad are secured together by the application of heat and pressure.

4. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 3 wherein the thermoplastic sheet material comprises nylon.

5. A combination shoe and shorehorn as defined in claim 1 wherein the fold line comprises a curved line following the radius of the heel, and wherein the sides of the back section are curved inwardly to intersect with the ends of said fold line measuring about onethird of the width of the heel section.

6. A combination shoe and shoehorn comprising a two-section element of flexible sheet material connected by a fold line and comprising a back section and a heel section, a semirigid resilient heel pad having a central opening, a cushioning material insert fitted in said opening, and a sock lining having a coating of pressuresensitive adhesive on its underside secured to said heel pad and to the insole of said shoe.

7. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 6 wherein the cushioning insert comprises sponge rubber.

8. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 6 wherein one face of said two-section element is flocked, and the other side thereof is napped. 

1. A combination shoe and shoehorn comprising a two-section element of flexible sheet material comprising a back section and a heel section connected by a fold line, a heel pad having a semirigid margin and a resilient inner portion secured to said heel section, and a sock lining adhesively secured to said heel pad and to the inside of the shoe.
 2. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 1 wherein the heel pad is stitched to said heel section.
 3. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 1 wherein The two-section element and the heel pad comprise a thermoplastic sheet material, and wherein the heel section and the heel pad are secured together by the application of heat and pressure.
 4. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 3 wherein the thermoplastic sheet material comprises nylon.
 5. A combination shoe and shorehorn as defined in claim 1 wherein the fold line comprises a curved line following the radius of the heel, and wherein the sides of the back section are curved inwardly to intersect with the ends of said fold line measuring about one-third of the width of the heel section.
 6. A combination shoe and shoehorn comprising a two-section element of flexible sheet material connected by a fold line and comprising a back section and a heel section, a semirigid resilient heel pad having a central opening, a cushioning material insert fitted in said opening, and a sock lining having a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on its underside secured to said heel pad and to the insole of said shoe.
 7. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 6 wherein the cushioning insert comprises sponge rubber.
 8. A combination shoe and shoehorn as defined in claim 6 wherein one face of said two-section element is flocked, and the other side thereof is napped. 